About Us

Submitted by bboyer on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 8:13am

As the County transitions the dog pound to their new location at the former Brigadoon Kennels in Wooster, the Wayne County Humane Society (WCHS) will continue its operation at 1161 Mechanicsburg Road with an updated mission.

Our goal is to become a leader in our community for the promotion of humane values through outreach and education. We aspire to further our efforts to adopt and promote the principles of a no-kill organization by continuing to find permanent homes for every adoptable animal that enters our shelter, no matter how long it may take. We plan to maintain our goal of spaying/neutering every animal that passes through our shelter. We also hope to partner with community leaders/members to establish a Trap Neuter Return (TNR) program that will help proactively and safely reduce the community cat population.

WCHS will now be a limited intake facility (based on shelter space availability and financial support) with a continued focus on quality care. The more community support we have, the more animals we can help. We will be the only facility in the County to accept owner surrenders for both cats and dogs. We hope to be able to serve as a resource for the County Dog Pound to assist in getting animals adopted after the required owner redemption period has ended. We will continue to honor our contract with the City of Wooster to accept stray Wooster cats brought to us by Wooster residents. We will accept injured stray cats found in Wayne County as resources allow, but only during business hours as the afterhours pet drop-off is now closed.

With this transition, we are now a smaller, independent, non-profit organization. Community support allows us to continue our mission to promote humane values in our community and rehome companion animals. We depend on our volunteers. They help socialize our animals, giving peace, play, walks, and comfort during their shelter stay. They help clean cages, run the front desk, write newsletters, take photos, run adoption and fundraising events, and perform building maintenance and landscaping. We are happy to have volunteers of all ages (children under 16 with a parent or guardian) and all skillsets. The generosity of our donors keeps our doors open. Please consider becoming a Friend of WCHS by making a donation by credit card or PayPal on our website, by using our automatic monthly contribution system, or by sending a check to:

We started this evolution two years ago when we began meeting with the Commissioners about developing a new model for Wayne County. Dog and cruelty laws have changed drastically in the last 5 years; it is now possible to be convicted of a felony for committing cruelty to companion animals. We believe that the investigation and enforcement of animal protection laws should be conducted by law enforcement officials. This transition puts the role of enforcement in the right hands. Henceforth, if you encounter an animal cruelty situation, contact your local law enforcement agency. It is our job to promote humane values and offer services to rehome animals in our community. The Dog Warden responsibility is now handled by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. Previously, WCHS served as the dog pound for the Dog Warden in Wayne County. The County has made the decision to move away from this model and open a dog impound facility at the former Brigadoon Kennels in Wooster. The new Wayne County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center on Burbank Road is a County government agency funded by annual Dog and Kennel license fees.

Since WCHS is no longer the Dog Pound, we can no longer accept dogs found running at large. If you find a stray dog, contact the County Dog Warden via the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office at 330-287-5701.

We are dedicated to our mission, excited about our future, and look forward to providing a great service to the community for years to come.